Barbara Kasten: Centric Revisited

February 7–May 19, 2023

This exhibition highlights seven photographs which were welcomed into the permanent collection in the early 1980s after being commissioned for the original Centric exhibition series. In 1981, founding director Constance W. Glenn launched Centric, an exhibition series envisioned with a two-pronged mission; it alternated between exhibiting underseen work by well-known artists and sharing the work of emerging artists with strong potential.  

The works exhibited in Centric Revisited were originally a part of Centric 2 in February 1982, curated by Gloria B. Skovronsky and Constance W. Glenn. An excerpt from an interview between Barbara Kasten and Glenn included in the 1982 exhibition’s catalogue reveals how interdisciplinarity was inherent to the creation of these works. The artist shared that she did not necessarily consider herself a photographer. Instead, she communicated that she “think[s] of the process as sculpture, but when I show the photographs which result, I'm a photographer.”

In preparation for the Museum’s 50-year anniversary celebration in the 2023-2023 academic year, we draw attention to historic exhibitions, archives, and memories from the past five decades. Our remembrance in this exhibition and other projects honor artists, arts professionals, and visitors who have helped build our community.